Re. ECHO article October 10, 'Worry as policing money is swallowed up by pensions'.

I read with interest Councillor Marbrow's comments regarding the issue of police pensions. I am surprised, given he is a member of the Police Authority, that he could get his figures so wrong.

Whilst I amno accountant, his reference to a #3.2bn shortfall is not only misleading but is totally inaccurate.

I assume Councillor Marbrow is referring to a notional figure of #1.3bn within the accounts, which is statutorily required by accounting regulations, but which in no way represents a real shortfall in any shape or form.

It is even more surprising that Councillor Marbrow appears so confused as this point was actually explained to him at a recent Police Authority meeting.

It is correct that the pension costs for this Authority are increasing year on year and I and my colleagues have fought long and hard for the government to properly address this issue.

However it is not helpful for Councillor Marbrow to make such inaccurate statements to the press on what is such a serious matter.

Cllr Carol GustafsonChair Merseyside Police Authority

Dangerous game >

ON Saturday, October 11, I was walking up London Road towards T.J. Hughes when I was hit by an egg thrown from a double decker bus. The incident happened near the traffic lights.

The egg ruined my one and only suit. I hope you are proud of yourself. You could have blinded someone with your stupidity.

Liverpool recently won Capital of Culture. What sort of message is this sending out to visitors to our great city, when ordinary people cannot walk down a popular street without being targeted.

Mrs C. Roberts Formerly of Garston, Liverpool)

Show compassion >

PINK FLOYD fans might recognise the words "There's one in the spotlight, he don't look right to me, get him up against the wall". Today, those words remind me of asylum seekers because they are very much in the spotlight.

The more affluent minority of the world's population are using global resources at unprecedented rates. I was listening to one of those "compo" adverts recently. It said "It's only fair that you don't have to share". I thought those words summed it all up really.

The global population is increasing But the population on our own shores (asylum seekers or no asylum seekers) is decreasing. I realise that the whole world can't come here, but the whole world isn't coming here, and I think that some of our national newspapers are very paranoid over this issue.

So, not all asylum seekers have been tortured, they haven't all been wired up to the mains. Shocking isn't it? But what would our idea of torture be exactly? How about nothing to eat for starters? Yes, some of our own indigenous population do have a poor standard of living.

But how many are about to bunk in the back of a lorry and try the road to China? Today I was in Argos. The stuff was flying out the shop. They couldn't get it out of the back fast enough. At collection point C, surely there is room for a little bit of mercy.

Eddie Herbert,Skelmersdale

Social decline >

REGARDING Anfield regeneration. While any regeneration in Anfield is to be welcomed, I believe this alone is not enough. The problems that must be addressed first are the ones of anti-social behaviour and crime.

Anfield has, I believe, more than its fair share of problem families. This is because it has become a dumping ground for these people by housing associations and the council.

The many good people of Anfield who have witnessed its decline are sick of the housing the police and the council shirking their responsabilities.

They are sick of having to fend for themselves. They are sick of the local press glossing over the problem.

They want these powerful bodies to accept the true problems of Anfield and take responsibility for them.

Creating a nice environment through regeneration is good but cut out the root of the problem first.

Name supplied,Walton

Shortpoints>

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I AM> in complete agreement with the gentleman who wrote in to complain about the stalls in our main shopping area, namely Church Street.

They are out of place, scruffy and and are an eyesore.

I am only amazed that the big stores have not closed up and gone elsewhere.

Can the City of Culture be seen by visitors and ourselves to harbour such a disgraceful sight.

S. Holmes,Liverpool 4

I WONDER> how many senior readers can remember the notice that appeared on the Green Goddess trams in the 30's.

NOTICE: Passengers are requested to lodge information with the conductor and assist in the prosecution of persons found spitting on public vehicles.

This notice always helped me test my memory all those years ago!

Hazel Lee,Allerton

FOLLOWING> his column about football (ECHO, October 8), I'm voting for Paddy Shennan to take over the Football Association, order all the referees to clean up the game - and take over the editorship of the ECHO.

Bill Bennett,Liverpool 19

HERE> is another annoyed passenger about the cutting of direct train services from Liverpool. It's not only Portsmouth, Plymouth also has had its one train cut.

I have been travelling that route for 20 years and now they can't run it from Liverpool.

I have written to Virgin trains about this, but needless to say the answer I had didn't give any hope that this would be coming back in the near future.

Name & Address Supplied

I AM> totally behind the 1,000 residents opposing the proposed building of a #7m greyhound stadium in Fazakerley. Although there will no doubt be a restaurant and bars, the main reason people go to the dogs is to bet on the races.

I saw a dog meeting on Sky Sports recently and noticed children present, men drinking on the terraces, book-makers shouting the odds, not a place for children to be late at night.